The poem takes place in the final years of the speaker’s life as he looks back at the life he has lived. By this point, he has become aware of the limitations of old age and his perception of the world has shifted. While he once occupied his thoughts with art and politics, he now takes a more philosophical view of the stage of life he has found himself in. This is a largely uncomfortable stage for the speaker, but also a natural one; his generation has given way to the new. The poem lands on a bitter note as the speaker sees the futility of his memories.